The 2010 model Mazda CX-9 received a new grille, and debuted at the 2009 New York Auto Show. Marketing began in Australia during late September and early October in three variants: Classic, Luxury, and Grand Touring.

Auto Week noted that "compared with other midsize utes, the CX-9 is responsive and has great steering. It almost feels sporty, but not quite though."[4]

The CX-9 has three-zone climate control and a Bluetooth hands-free interface as standard features. The more expensive Touring and Grand Touring trims include leather inserts in the upholstery, as well as higher-end audio and rear DVD entertainment systems also an engine power increase to 240kW (321 hp) in the Grand Touring (also known as Limited in Australia and New Zealand ).[5]

For the 2013 model year, the CX-9 received a refresh that included a new grill, new headlights, and restyled front vents. Power is still delivered by the Ford-sourced, 3.7 L V6, making 273 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque (240kW/321 hp grand touring) mated exclusively to the six-speed automatic transmission.[6]

The CX-9 was completely redesigned for the 2016 model year.[7] The second generation CX-9 has better performance than before, increased efficiency and a new level of refinement. The chassis is significantly lighter while the wheelbase is a 2.2-inch-longer, which should add legroom and ease rear passenger entry and exit. The 2016 Mazda CX-9 uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, joined with a six-speed automatic transmission. Mazda says the new engine should return about 20 percent better fuel economy than the old V6 engine.

Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional.

The exterior design is in line with the rest of the Mazda family, especially in the front and rear ends. The new CX-9 is now 1.2in (30mm) shorter than before, at 199.4in (5,065mm), but rides on a 2.2in (55mm) longer wheelbase. This means shorter front and rear overhangs, contributing to its more dynamic stance, along with the new wheels, 18- to 20-inch in size.

Thanks to a lower weight, down 190 lbs (90 kg) in FWD and 287 lbs (130 kg) in AWD form, engineers were able to increase window thickness and rethink the active noise-cancellation technologies, which led to a 12 percent reduced interior noise at 62 mph (100 km/h) from the previous model.

The cabin has enough room for seven in three rows of seats, and access to the third row is said to be “so easy that even a child could do it”. Some of the features found inside include the LED accent lighting, four USB ports, a Bose sound system, the Mazda CONNECT infotainment system working together with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen display for functions like Bluetooth, navigation, phone, Pandora or Aha by Harman music streaming, among others. The driver gets a 4.6-inch full-color TFT screen in the gauges, along with a full-color head-up display projected onto the lower part of the windshield. The 2016 Mazda CX-9 is no longer available with rear seat entertainment system.

While the previous-gen used a 3.7-liter V6, this was dropped in favor of a brand new 2.5-liter force-fed four-cylinder that benefits from the Dynamic Pressure Turbo, the “world’s first turbocharger with the ability to vary the degree of exhaust pulsation depending on engine speed”.

The system works similarly to one placing a thumb on a garden hose, creating a strong amount of pressure through a smaller outlet, and it routes engine exhaust to the turbocharger’s turbine through small ports at low rpm. Instant boost is created, up to 1.2 bar (17.4 psi) of pressure and, when the engine is revved higher, secondary valves open, allowing larger amounts of exhaust gas to past through the turbocharger.

Maximizing the efficiency is a 4-3-1 exhaust, which joins the middle two cylinders (2 and 3) into a single port, while the outer cylinders (1 and 4) each have their own ports. The exhaust manifold encourages exhaust scavenging and uses a set of valves that route exhaust gases to the turbo through some small-diameter ports, speeding the air flow.

With 93-octane fuel, the powertrain produces 250 HP (254 PS) at 5,000 rpm and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque at 2,000 rpm. The figure drops to just 227 HP (230 PS) on regular 87-octane. The only transmission available is a six-speed automatic. When traveling at 55 mph (88 km/h), a driver needs just 18 HP to maintain speed on flat roads, according to Mazda, in a front-wheel drive model, meaning a 4 HP improvement over the previous generation.

The 2017 Mazda CX-9 will be offered in the following colors named Machine Grey, Soul Red, Snowflake White Pearl, Sonic Silver, Deep Crystal Blue, Jet Black and Titanium Flash. However, these may not be available in all markets, as the company says.